A new-look radiology unit at The Friary Community Hospital in Richmond has been officially opened – and has already benefited 81 patients in its first week.

The Friends of The Friary Community Hospital donated £170,000 to fund new, state-of-the-art X-ray equipment at the community hospital, which provides instant digital results, and will ensure thousands of patients per year can continue to benefit from this crucial diagnostic service closer to their homes.

During a special celebration event, Margaret Clayson, chairman of the Friends of the Friary Community Hospital, cut the ribbon to declare the new facility officially open, alongside Rishi Sunak, Conservative MP for Richmond.

She said: “This has been a wonderful event enjoyed by many members of the committee.

“We had a very generous legacy left to us last year and decided to use the funds to replace the second hand machine that was transferred from the Friarage Hospital in 1999.

Fiona Harker, left with Rishi Sunak MP

“We now have a state of the art machine which is absolutely wonderful. Using this equipment, X-Ray results can be seen by the Radiographer straight away and it’s so good that people in Richmond and the Dales can get this service at their local hospital, which is second to none.”

Rishi Sunak, Conservative MP for Richmond, said it was “fantastic” to see an investment of £170,000 going into community healthcare services in his constituency.

He said: “I’m immensely proud and grateful to The Friends of the Friary Community Hospital for the work they have done and the opening of this new facility is testament to that. I’m very lucky to represent a part of the world where we have tremendous community spirit.”

Rishi Sunak MP with Margaret Clayson and radiology staff

“Accessibility to healthcare services is so important to local people. This is one of the most rural parts of the country and anything we can do to bring services closer to people’s homes is a really positive step and will improve the quality of people’s lives.”

Margaret also said a special “thank you” to the Friends’ treasurer Roy Cross and his wife Pamela, for their tireless work for the charity, as they were unable to attend the event.

Roy turns 90 next week, and it was his ambition to see the new facility open before this landmark birthday.

Fiona Harker, radiology manager at The Friary, said: “We are pleased to have taken this opportunity to thank The Friends of The Friary Community Hospital for this generous donation, which will benefit a large number of patients for years to come.”